• Tejas Nair
    Tejas Nair
    258 reviews
    Top Reviewer
    3

    There was a film called Ishqedarriyan (2015) that released few weeks ago and silently moved out of the theaters when everybody (including its cast and crew) chose not to watch it. Mohit Suri's latest makes sure that its story reached the Bollywood audience. So we have this.

    An orthodox and abusive sadist of a man (Rao) marries a tubby, young woman (Balan), injures her both mentally and physically, plants his seed, and a year later, goes on an unexpected outing, leaving her to stay on her own with her newborn. Five years later, a success- oriented and priggish businessman (Hashmi), who otherwise has a good heart, meets this destitute woman and showers his love upon her, also hiring her has his florist like he is going to build a country out of flowers. In other words, the film is about a man (the good guy) who sincerely loves the wife of another fellow (the bad guy), and after an episode of dramaturgy, goes on to unite the original couple. How convenient.

    Now we know what the story is, and lovers may be able to relate and rejoice with it, but the loose screenplay and terrible writing spoils what could have been a genuine representation of true love, or whatever that means. Fortunately, it is better than Ishqedarriyan.

    Direction is also to be blamed where three top actors of the industry are simply wasted. Hashmi, in an out-of-the-typecast role, bluffs while his co-actor Rao puts up an average act of being a monster. Balan just gets away with her dismal performance. I sat up on my seat when I saw nose-jobbed Amala Akkineni (of Pushpak fame) in a cameo. Tonite I am going to wonder what drove her to do the bit.

    Although, I must say I am impressed with some of the dialogs which were quite romantic and generally true. Otherwise, the film is filled with people talking nonsense, shedding tears like their eye sockets are connected to the Niagara Falls. How a selfish man suddenly turns generous is what largely affects the dramatic closure of the story. All said and done, this tragedy is not heart-breaking, but heart-aching.

    BOTTOM LINE: Hamari Adhuri Kahani has a story that has all the ingredients mixed and placed in the mold. The makers just forgot to bake it.

    RATING: 3 stars out of 10. Should skip.

    Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES

    June 13, 15